JORDANIAN: Owner of building that collapsed, killing Philadelphia firefighter, accused of setting deadly blaze

[Arheel's Uncle]

Owner of building that collapsed, killing Philadelphia firefighter, accused of setting deadly blaze

Philadelphia Fire Department Lieutenant Sean Williamson, 51, died June 18 while battling the blaze.

www.cbsnews.com

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Owner of building that collapsed, killing Philadelphia firefighter, accused of setting deadly blaze​

By Gina Martinez

June 28, 2022 / 7:33 PM / CBS News


A fire that led to a building collapse that killed a Philadelphia firefighter was allegedly set intentionally by building owner Al-Ashraf Khalil, federal investigators announced on Tuesday. Khalil is charged with maliciously damaging a building by means of fire and aiding and abetting.

Philadelphia Fire Department Lieutenant Sean Williamson, 51, died June 18 while battling the blaze.

"This finding is a glaring example of how the violent act of arson is, and in this instance, very unpredictable, and when someone sets a fire to a building, that fire can spread and cause the death and serious injuries of many individuals," ATF Special Agent Matthew P. Varisco said at a presser on Tuesday.

Although he had told investigators that he had no plans to leave the U.S., Khalil fled the country on June 22 after he was questioned by investigators, law enforcement officials said on Tuesday.

But "extraordinary diplomatic efforts" between multiple agencies — including the U.S. Marshals Service, Interpol and the FBI — and Jordanian authorities led to Khalil being refused entry to Jordan and arrested at JFK airport in New York City on Friday, U.S. Marshal Eric Gartner told reporters.

Khalil, 28, was arrested and placed in handcuffs bearing Williamson's initials and his badge number, according to CBS Philly's Joe Holden.

Khalil owned the three-story building in Philadelphia that went up in flames earlier this month. Although the fire was successfully contained and all eight people living in it were evacuated, the building collapsed while firefighters were still inside to make sure the fire was completely extinguished. Five Philadelphia firefighters, including Williamson, a 27-year veteran of the department, and one building inspector, were inside at the time, investigators said.

Despite telling federal agents he wasn't in the area at the time of the fire, Khalil and an unidentified suspect were both seen on surveillance footage coming in and out of the building before it caught on fire, investigators said.

"The voluminous video surveillance recovered by investors showed two suspects minutes before the fire began in the early morning hours of June 18 walk behind a dumpster and enter the basement doors of the property," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Nelson Thayer said Tuesday. "The video surveillance further shows that, at about 20 minutes later, the two suspects leave the location, shortly after which smoke can be seen emanating from the direction of the building, and immediately thereafter flames can be seen on the video."


Authorities said the investigation into the blaze is still ongoing and did not discuss further details about the case.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

Building owner accused of setting fire that led to Philadelphia firefighter's death

A building owner has been charged with allegedly setting a fire that led to the death of a Philadelphia firefighter.

6abc.com

Building owner accused of setting fire that led to Philadelphia firefighter's death​

Al-Ashraf Khalil is charged with maliciously damaging a building by means of fire and aiding and abetting.

By 6abc Digital Staff, Annie McCormick and Alyana Gomez
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 10:31PM

A building owner has been charged with allegedly setting a fire that led to the death of a Philadelphia firefighter.


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A building owner has been charged with allegedly setting a fire that led to the death of a Philadelphia firefighter.

Al-Ashraf Khalil, 28, is charged with maliciously damaging a building by means of fire and aiding and abetting.

Investigators say Khalil owned the three-story commercial building that went up in flames and collapsed on June 18 on West Indiana Avenue.

Khalil was captured in surveillance images going in and out of the building minutes before it caught fire, according to a criminal complaint, and smoke was seen coming from the location a short time later.

The fire was allegedly started in the kitchen area on the first first of the business.

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Authorities announce arrest on June 28, 2022, in an arson case that killed a Philadelphia firefighter.

Investigators say Khalil fled the country after he was questioned by investigators. Images released by court documents include one allegedly showing Khalil at the scene.

"Khalil allegedly told investigators, provided false information to the investigators about where he was at the time that he learned of the fire. This information, as alleged in the criminal complaint, is directly contradicted by the video surveillance, and in fact his own voice which was recorded by surveillance equipment," said Nelson S.T. Thayer Jr., the first assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Left: One of the suspects in the fire. Center: Image allegedly showing Khalil at the scene. Right: Khalil during an interview with investigators.


Khalil was wearing distinctive striped sweatpants and black-and-white slides when he entered the building, and again when he returned to the scene, authorities said. Khalil allegedly told investigators at the scene that he had been at his Philadelphia home when he received a call from a tenant in the apartments he leased out above the pizza shop, but officials say they determined he actually took that call a few blocks from the scene.

On June 21, Khalil booked a one-way flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Jordan, with a layover in Dubai -- despite allegegly telling investigators that he has no travel plans.

On June 22, a judge approved an arrest warrant for Khalil.

The ATF tells Action News Khalil was refused entry into Jordan and detained before being sent back to the United States. He was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 24.

Eric Gartner, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said Khalil was arrested in designated handcuffs with the initials and badge number of Firefighter Sean Williamson, who was killed in the collapse.

Investigators are also looking for a second suspect seen on video, however, authorities declined to comment further on the person's identity.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel praised investigators for their swift action in the case and had a warning for others thinking about starting a fire.

"The lesson here is if you're thinking about it, think hard because you can't run and you can't hide. This team will find you wherever you go," said Thiel.

Williamson, 51, was a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department. He was most recently assigned to Ladder 18 in Hunting Park and leaves behind his mother and son. He was laid to rest Monday.

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One firefighter has died after being trapped in a building that caught fire in Philadelphia and then collapsed Saturday morning, fire officials said.

RELATED: Funeral held for fallen Philadelphia firefighter Lt. Sean Williamson

During his funeral, he was remembered as a dedicated firefighter who tirelessly served the city.

"Firefighters, and all first responders, lay down their lives for strangers. And that's what Lt. Sean Williamson did," said the Rev. James Casey. "He performed the greatest act of love."

Four other firefighters and an inspector with the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections were also trapped at the time of the collapse. One firefighter jumped from the second story of the rubble, officials said.

Lt. Williamson will be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain on Thursday.

Authorities said Tuesday that if convicted, Khalil could face a death sentence.